Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XIV

[sarge88]

If the season ended today, the Bruins would be picking 13th. If they traded off some key players, it doesn't look like it would be very hard to fall into the top10.

My question to all the draft fans is this: Is there a clear top10 in this draft?

Plus, if you could somehow find a way to get another 1, maybe you can package that to move up?

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

If the season ended today, the Bruins would be picking 13th. If they traded off some key players, it doesn't look like it would be very hard to fall into the top10.

My question to all the draft fans is this: Is there a clear top10 in this draft?

General consensus is there’s a drop off after 12, and that the late first range is significantly weaker than the last few years.

 

[the negotiator]

With the Cap rising, I'm sure these prices are about to take a hike as well. Crazy!!

Screen shooting this for when the Bs announce an increase in next year's Season ticket holder prices

 

[sarge88]

That 27/28 salary cap number...

There's about to be a whole lot of bad deals handed out, isn't there?

They’re only bad if looked at using the current/recent cap numbers.

Using the higher cap number, they are simply what the market bears.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

General consensus is there’s a drop off after 12, and that the late first range is significantly weaker than the last few years.

General consensus is bullshit though.

 

[Fenian24]

If the season ended today, the Bruins would be picking 13th. If they traded off some key players, it doesn't look like it would be very hard to fall into the top10.

My question to all the draft fans is this: Is there a clear top10 in this draft?

I have read from a few sources that this is seen as the weakest draft since 1999. Combine that with the Bruins scouting, Sweeney's love of "projects" and I don't think this would be a year to tank. In fact I would move the pick for a pick next year or a younger player (under 25). Too much risk with Sweeney running this draft.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

General consensus is bullshit though.

Not really. We’re not talking about whether a specific player should be ranked 16th or 18th. It’s a relative look at the draft class as a whole. Overall, strong projected classes end up strong and weak classes end up week (2015 v 2016 for example).

 

[Dr Hook]

I usually agree with you but in this case the reason why you buy the drama is only for a drastic discount. As a way to improve the teams talent level to a degree that we otherwise couldn’t afford.

It seems like every year there are great players moved at a discount and all we hear about is their flaws and why they won’t work.

In this case I’m more skeptical with our current cap commitments so Miller concerns me on that front but I’m not against flipping Coyle, Frederic and a nominal asset to get Miller here. Again it would have to be at a drastic discount.

Fair point, and for EP I guess it should be on the table, though with the recent reports coming out about him being lazy (!! and who the hell knows what's true with any of this anymore) it has to give a GM pause with that size of a contract. Miller I am a hard pass on because of age and cap hit because I don't think the Bruins are in any shape to make the most of whatever JT has left in the tank over the next couple of seasons.

 

[BruinDust]

The other side is that if a market is not growing in rough step with overall league growth, maybe that market should not have a team it can't support. Bettman has already pushed the outer limits of league size IMO (considering they are looking at adding 2 more) . At some point it will follow the typical business cycle where contraction happens when an industry is overbuilt (simplified economics I know lol).

Which is sort of ironic if it comes to that if the salary cap is high so players make more, but 50 player jobs are lost because of it when a couple teams are no longer financially solvent and the league can't find a city where they will be.

That being said I can't see contraction. There will always be some rich-as-dirt local billionaire someplace eager to show off their wealth owning a major league sports franchise.

 

[bp14]

Different scenarios though. Stamkos wanted to get paid first and play for Tampa second. He was going to get his money. Period.

Marchand is (presumably) willing to play here for a discount. In addition to everything he's done for this team, he could be really valuable as a leader/mentor and most importantly, 25 goal scorer playing for a fraction of what he's worth.

PM let me play devils advocate here.

What makes you think Marchand’s a great leader?

 

[Jorah Marshmont]

I’m interested to see what happens before the “soft deadline”.

 

[Dr Hook]

Which is sort of ironic if it comes to that if the salary cap is high so players make more, but 50 player jobs are lost because of it when a couple teams are no longer financially solvent and the league can't find a city where they will be.

That being said I can't see contraction. There will always be some rich-as-dirt local billionaire someplace eager to show off their wealth owning a major league sports franchise.

This vanity phenomenon certainly makes pro sports different from other businesses. No one buys a mining company for the social cred haha. I wish the Bruins would get one of those owners, honestly- a person that just wants to own a sports team they that love and care abou, and is willing to write off losses because he or she is so wealthy a modest operating loss doesn't matter.

 

[bp14]

Why? What's bad about that approach? If you know Marchand is committed to signing here and will take 'whatever is left over' why force the issue now?

If you were intent on keeping him I agree.

I have no idea why you’d be intent on keeping him though, unless he wouldn’t accept a trade to a contender.

 

[sarge88]

One thought re: JT Miller…and TBH, I’m a bit wiped out right now, so the names aren’t coming to me, but when exactly are the Bruins going to drop the holier than thou attitude and take a chance on a talented guy, who may be a bit of a jerk?

Seems like every year some guys with questions in this area get moved and are successful.

I’m not looking for criminals, or racist dirtbags like DeAngelo, but Jesus, take a chance once in a while. They certainly seem to be okay with taking chances on guys with great attitudes but questionable talent/productivity.

Why not give the opposite a try?

 

[bp14]

Even Lindholm. In 2 years there are going to be 3rd liners who are paid $8m.

But he’s a third liner today.

 

[BruinDust]

General consensus is bullshit though.

The Bruins have always certainly thought so.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

One thought re: JT Miller…and TBH, I’m a bit wiped out right now, so the names aren’t coming to me, but when exactly are the Bruins going to drop the holier than thou attitude and take a chance on a talented guy, who may be a bit of a jerk?

Seems like every year some guys with questions in this area get moved and are successful.

I’m not looking for criminals, or racist dirtbags like DeAngelo, but Jesus, take a chance once in a while. They certainly seem to be okay with taking chances on guys with great attitudes but questionable talent/productivity.

Why not give the opposite a try?

We tried it with Erik Haula.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Stamkos was a UFA who they decided not to bring back. And not for nothing but the players were pissed

They are two points off where they stood from last year, so the players have moved beyond it. Looks like management did its job regarding Stamkos.

 

[RoccoF14]

They’re only bad if looked at using the current/recent cap numbers.

Using the higher cap number, they are simply what the market bears.

True, but that's a backwards way of thinking that's always drove me nuts. This came up a lot during the Swayman contract negotiations. The whole "overpay now because the Cap's gonna increase and the contract will be at market value in a few years" argument is just ass-backwards in my opinion.

The whole point of giving additional term (from a club's point of view) is to lock in value. It SHOULD be "Pay Market NOW, and lock in value when the Cap increases in future years". Its a subtle difference, but an important one that adds up over time.

Recently, we've been doing too much of the former, and not enough of the latter.

 

[PlayMakers]

But he’s a third liner today.

Yes, and if he continues to be that he'll be paid appropriately.

 

[pucksindeep92]

Weak draft class year combined with limited high-skill free agents (none of which are centers) this off-season is worrisome…

 

[Absurdity]

With the Cap rising, I'm sure these prices are about to take a hike as well. Crazy!!

I bought tickets for my dad and two sisters to the Colorado game as a Christmas present, and with added fees, the tickets were close to $2,000. Granted they were 1st floor seats, but paying for parking and food, it was pretty much $2,000.

Thank god they ended up winning that game because after the first two periods, it felt like I paid two grand to torture my family.

 

[RoccoF14]

Weak draft class year combined with limited high-skill free agents (none of which are centers) this off-season is worrisome…

This team doesn't need a high-skill free agent though. I'd settle for a few wingers who can consistently get you 15-25 goals, and a solid middle 6 Centerman and build from there. That's what we had last year...

Draft picks are another matter. We've got to start stockpiling them and building back our prospect pool.

 

[PlayMakers]

PM let me play devils advocate here.

What makes you think Marchand’s a great leader?

Not much, only everything I've seen over the last 15 years.

The guy is still the hardest worker and most intense player on the team at practice. He's fearless in games. His compete level is outstanding. He's accountable and always faces the tough questions. He accepts criticism, takes responsibility and never pouts or blames others for his failings. He had a massive impact on the only Stanley Cup run I've seen in my lifetime. He bleeds black and gold and loves this city and organization. He has immense respect for the greats that have gone before him. He has earned immense respect from the greats in the game...

Those are qualities I want to transfer to the youth coming up.

 

[TCB]

Yes, and if he continues to be that he'll be paid appropriately.

Really ?

Even with the cap rising, it will be easier to hide a bad contract, so to speak but I wouldn't call it the norm or at least I hope it doesn't become one. I more so seeing your top players reaping the benefits of the upgrade in cap space. Your top 6 wingers and top 4 d-men as well, but not your 3rd and 4th liners, sure it will go up, but to the extent where your paying them 8 mil per ? I wouldn't think so, unless it was a previous bad contract, ala Lindholm.